The English Teacher ➳ Emison

(Extra Part 1) Chapter 34 | Forever

A/n: Hey, guys! It's been such a long time. Lately, I've been thinking about these two, so I decided to write this chapter which is made up of some scenes I thought of. Think of it as a direct continuation of the story, but with a bit of a time jump forward. Hope you like it! xx

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It had been a gray, restless afternoon on campus—one of those odd California days when the air still felt like winter, and the sky hung low, heavy with clouds. The kind of day where even the breeze seemed to remind you that summer was still far away. But inside Emily's dorm apartment, the warmth of the space was a cozy contrast to the chill outside.

A soft throw blanket was draped casually over the arm of the couch, a half-empty mug of tea sat beside a notebook on the coffee table, and the quiet hum of wind outside barely reached the comfort of the room.

Emily sat at her desk in her bedroom, earbuds in, completely absorbed in her studies. Her brows were furrowed in concentration, the pen moving quickly across her notebook as she scribbled down notes with a focused intensity. She was so lost in her work that she didn't even hear the soft click of the front door.

Alison stepped inside quietly, brushing off the chill with a small shiver. The soft light in the common space cast a warm glow over her, and a smile tugged at her lips when she saw Emily through the open bedroom door, seated with her back turned, completely unaware of her presence.

Alison paused at the threshold, her gaze drifting over the space with a quiet affection. It was as if Emily's past and present existed side by side in this room, woven together in a way that felt both familiar and fresh.

Framed photos lined the dresser and corkboard: one photo of her friends laughing together in Spencer's living room—Hanna, Spencer, Aria, and Emily all squeezed in; a sunlit shot of Emily and her parents by the lake near Rosewood; and a few of Emily and Alison, their smiles soft and full of love, with one even featuring Pepe's goofy "smile" aimed directly at the camera.

There were newer photos too, ones of Emily's college friends, their faces just as easy for Alison to recognize. The way they were scattered among the older memories made it clear how effortlessly Emily had transitioned into her newer life—while still holding tight to the people and moments that mattered most.

Movie posters, vibrant and slightly curled at the edges, adorned the walls above her bed, each one a little piece of Emily's personal world. A handful of knickknacks decorated the windowsill—a Pennsylvania National Guard hat, a tiny ceramic mermaid, a pride flag pin, and a Polaroid camera with a trail of film scattered nearby.

Alison's own T-shirt lay casually thrown across the bed, and she didn't need to ask why—she knew Emily went to sleep with it since the smell of her own perfume still clung to the fabric, a subtle reminder of how the brunette always kept her close.

Books, study guides, and notebooks were scattered in organized chaos across the desk, the type of mess that came from actually living in the space. The room, with all its quirks and keepsakes, felt like Emily's old room in Rosewood—but evolved. It was a reflection of Emily herself—grown, mature, yet still holding onto the heart of what she'd left behind.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Alison padded silently across the room and stepped into Emily's space. She bent down to her height and reached out and gently plucked one of Emily's earbuds out.

"Boo," she whispered near her ear.

Emily jumped, spinning halfway in her chair. "Oh my god," she gasped, her heart racing for a second before she registered the familiar face. The surprise melted into a soft smile. "Ali, what are you doing here?"